The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, October 23, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on January 18, 1967, for his album Tony Makes It Happen!. Marion Evans arranged and conducted the orchestra for this album.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Over The Rainbow

The song of the day for Monday, August 14, 2023, is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over The Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.

Interestingly, the producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed down the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.

The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “…has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Over The Rainbow” in July 1995 for his album Here’s To The Ladies, consisting of songs associated with some of America’s finest female vocalists. It was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman. This song is, of course, for Judy Garland.

“Over The Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies is available on Apple Music.

In 1979, Yip Harburg appeared on a television program called They Write The Songs and sang this beautiful version of “Over The Rainbow.”

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, August 13, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett (with Ralph Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums) recorded their show for MTV Unplugged on April 12, 1994. The concert was released later that year on the album Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged.

The album won two Grammy Awards: Album of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

We’re also happy to include the video of Tony Bennett’s entrance and performance of “Old Devil Moon.”

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for Friday, July 7, 2023, is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1957 for the Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “What Does It Do” on April 18, 1960, for his album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen. Glenn Osser wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, June 3, 2023, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Old Devil Moon” on August 6, 1954, for his album Cloud 7, released in 1955. It was arranged by Chuck Wayne.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7 is available on Apple Music.